Trailer: BBC One’s Noughts + Crosses arrives this March

Reading time: 4 mins

Noughts + Crosses, a new series based on Malorie Blackman’s award-winning book series, arrives on BBC One this March.

The six-part story of first love takes place in a dangerous, alternate world where racism divides society. Written by Toby Whithouse (Being Human), Lydia Adetunji (Riviera), Nathaniel Price (Tin Star) and Rachel De-Lahay (Kiri), it follows two young people Sephy and Callum, who are divided by their colour but united by love. Sephy is a ‘Cross’, a member of the black ruling class and daughter of a prominent politician. Callum is a ‘Nought’, a white member of the underclass. The two have been friends since early childhood but their relationship grows ever more complicated as they come of age. It’s the story of two families separated by power and prejudice but forever entwined by fate.

Jack Rowan (Peaky Blinders, Born to Kill) plays Callum and newcomer Masali Baduza plays Sephy. They are joined by Paterson Joseph (Timeless, Peep Show) as Sephy’s father, the Home Secretary Kamal Hadley, Bonnie Mbuli (Invictus, Wallander) as her mother, Jasmine, and Kike Brimah (Love Type D) as her sister, Minerva.

Helen Baxendale (Cold Feet, Cuckoo) and Ian Hart (The Last Kingdom, The Secret Agent) play Callum’s parents, Meggie and Ryan, and Josh Dylan (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, The Little Stranger) plays his older brother, Jude.

The series premieres at 9pm on BBC One on Thursday 5th March, with the whole box set arriving on BBC iPlayer at the same time.

Stormzy joins cast of BBC One‘s Noughts + Crosses

21st March 2019

Stormzy has joined the cast of BBC One drama Noughts + Crosses.

The Mammoth Screen adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s award-winning young adult books is a gripping story of first love in a dangerous, alternate world where racism divides society. It stars Bafta Cymru winner Jack Rowan (Peaky Blinders) as Callum McGregor and newcomer Masali Baduza as Sephy Hadley. Other cast include Helen Baxendale, Paterson Joseph and Ian Hart.

Now, they’ve been joined by another cast member of note: British musician Stormzy. He will play newspaper editor Kolawale, a character created for the TV series.

“As a diehard fan of Malorie’s novels, being a part of this important show is a dream come true,” he comments.

Blackman says: “The first time I met Stormzy he informed me he was a huge fan of my Noughts and Crosses series of books. I’m thrilled he will now be a part of the Noughts + Crosses TV production. It’s so exciting!”

The series is currently being filmed in South Africa.

Production begins on BBC One‘s Noughts + Crosses

12th November 2018

Production is now underway on Noughts + Crosses, BBC One’s adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s award-winning young adult book series.

Mammoth Screen is producing the story of first love in a dangerous, alternate world where racism divides society. It follows two young people: Sephy is a ‘Cross’, a member of the black ruling class and daughter of a prominent politician. Callum is a ‘Nought’, a white member of the underclass. The two have been friends since early childhood but their relationship grows ever more complicated as they come of age. It’s the story of two families separated by power and prejudice but forever entwined by fate.

Bafta Cymru winner Jack Rowan (Peaky Blinders, Born to Kill) will play Callum McGregor and newcomer Masali Baduza has been cast as Sephy Hadley. Paterson Joseph (Timeless, Peep Show) plays Sephy’s father, the Home Secretary Kamal Hadley, Bonnie Mbuli (Invictus, Wallander) plays her mother, Jasmine, and her sister Minerva is played by Kike Brimah (Love Type D). Helen Baxendale (Cold Feet, Cuckoo) and Ian Hart (The Last Kingdom, The Secret Agent) have also been cast as Callum’s parents, Meggie and Ryan, and Josh Dylan (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, The Little Stranger) will play his older brother, Jude, while Shaun Dingwall (Goodbye Christopher Robin, The Long Firm) plays Liberation Militia leader Dorn. The cast also features Jonathan Ajayi and Rakie Ayola (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, No Offence).

The six-part series is written by Toby Whithouse (Being Human), Lydia Adetunji (Riviera), Nathaniel Price (Tin Star) and Rachel De-Lahay (Kiri).

Malorie Blackman, author of the Noughts + Crosses novels, says: “I’m thrilled that the TV dramatisation of Noughts + Crosses has such an amazing cast to bring the story to the screen. It will be so exciting to see how the writers and actors open up the world I created, adding new breadth and detail.”

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, adds: “Noughts + Crosses is a novel that leaves an indelible impression on anyone who reads it. It’s fantastic that we have such an electric cast and crew bringing this powerful story to the screen for the first time on BBC One.”

Executive producer, Preethi Mavahalli comments: “It is an absolute honour to be adapting this treasured novel for television. We are delighted to have such a phenomenal cast bringing this iconic love story to the screen for both existing fans and a whole new audience.”

Filming has begun in South Africa for BBC One.